Bio hazard spill cleanup system for home and institutional use

ABSTRACT

A compact, self-contained, apparatus resembling a small wet-dry vacuum having a disposable liner within the body thereof. The body houses pullout drawers designed to hold required cleanup supplies such as tools and supplies. Further storage elements such as gloves, paper towels, cleaning implements, disposable scoops, plastic bags, disposable liners, etc. A spray bottle holder may be provided. A bag-retaining holder securely holds a plastic bag adapted to receive waste manually picked up from the soiled surface. Specialized disposable scoops are provided for such pickup. A vacuum cleaner unit may be utilized to extract the remaining portions of the spill, the aforementioned disposable liner receives and retains all matter extracted by the vacuum cleaner. When the cleaning operation is complete, the disposable liner fits within the durable plastic bag so that the all debris and all supplies associated with the cleanup may be disposed of in the single durable plastic bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to devices for cleaning up bio hazard spills and,more particularly, to a portable, compact, self-contained bio hazardspill cleanup system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spilled food, animal excrement, vomit, and other such semi-solid biohazard materials present particular cleanup challenges. Pet owners areoften familiar with the scenario of being awakened during the night torealize that there has been a pet “accident”, the cleanup of whichrequires immediate attention. Techniques for cleaning up such messes areknown and cleaning supplies specifically adapted for specific classes ofspill are available.

However, several problems exist with cleanup approaches of the priorart. First, gathering the necessary cleaning supplies and cleanupimplements requires time and effort, time, for example, during which theparticular spill may be soaking further into a carpet. Second,receptacles for containing the mess are often makeshift and inefficient.Under worst-case scenarios, a thin plastic bag chosen to contain themess may easily rupture and the cleanup process begins over again.Third, traditional vacuum cleaners used to clean spills are not adaptedfor vacuuming animal feces. The feces potentially contaminate thecleaner and an unpleasant smell may emanate from the cleaner uponsubsequent uses thereof.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

The prior art is replete with vacuum cleaners, especially those of theso-called “shop vac” or wet-dry class. It should be noted, however, thatShop Vac is a registered trademark of Shop Vac Corporation ofWilliamsport, PA but the term is commonly used generically. As usedherein, the term shop vac is used to refer to any shop vacuum cleaner.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,299 for WET-DRY VACUUM CLEANER WITH SECURELYNESTABLE TOOL HOLDER AND BASKET, issued Sep. 6, 2005 to David Martinezet al. teaches a wet-dry type vacuum cleaner with both a tool caddy andwaste receptacle basket securely connected to the tool caddy.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,456 for PORTABLE CLEANING ASSEMBLY WITH WASTECONTAINER, issued Jan. 6, 2009 to Glen E. Moore et al. shows a largetrash barrel with a vacuum cleaner disposed in a lower portion thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,263,742 for MOBILE UNIT WITH DRAWERS AND DETACHABLE DUSTSUCTION SYSTEM, issued Sep. 4, 2007 to Guido Valentini shows a shop vactype apparatus having at least one built-in drawer for storing cleaningsupplies.

None of the patents, taken singly, or in any combination are seen toteach or suggest the novel bio hazard spill cleanup system of thepresent invention.

It would, therefore, be desirable to have a bio hazard spill cleanupsystem that overcame the numerous disadvantages of the prior art byproviding all necessary tools and cleaning supplies including wastesreceptacles, gloves, debris scoops, etc. within a compact housing thatincludes a specialized vacuum cleaner for lifting and isolating portionsof the bio hazard spill in a disposable liner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a compact,self-contained, apparatus resembling a small wet-dry shop vacuum of theprior art. A special disposable liner within the waste container of thevacuum cleaner body receives and contains all debris picked up by thevacuum cleaner portion of the novel spill cleanup system. The body ofthe spill cleanup system contains several specialized storagecompartments, typically in the form of pullout drawers. Thesecompartments are specifically designed to hold and make readilyavailable to a user of the spill cleanup system all required cleanuptools and supplies. Further storage elements may be disposed on theouter surface of the body. In the example chosen for purposes ofdisclosure, a spray bottle containing water or a cleaning solution maybe retained. Gloves, paper towels, cleaning implements and/or productsnecessary to quickly and efficiently clean up a spill are provided. Aholder also affixed to the outside of the body supports a durableplastic bag adapted to receive waste manually picked up from the soiledsurface. Specialized disposable paper scoops are provided for suchpickup.

Once manual pickup of the spill is accomplished, the vacuum cleaner unitof the system may be utilized to extract the remaining portions of thespill, typically in combination with one or more cleaning solutions. Theaforementioned disposable liner within the vacuum cleaner portionreceives and retains all matter extracted by the vacuum cleaner. Whenthe cleaning operation is complete, the disposable liner fits within thedurable plastic bag so that all the debris and all supplies associatedwith the cleanup may be disposed of in the single durable plastic bag.

The vacuum hose has a smooth interior surface and is retained on theoutside surface of the spill cleanup unit for ready access. The hose issealed so that any remaining bio hazard material remaining therein atthe completion of a cleanup operation is retained and not released intothe environment.

Large swivel casters allow easy movement of the spill cleanup system onany floor surface.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit to facilitate cleanup ofsemi-solid bio hazard and other spills.

It is another object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit wherein all necessarycleanup supplies and cleaning tools are stored within the unit.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit including a vacuum cleanerhaving a disposable liner to receive and retain all debris extracted bythe vacuum cleaner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit having a support forsecurely retaining a durable plastic bag into which manually removedspill debris may be placed, spent cleaning supplies, and the disposableliner may be placed for easy, secure disposal.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit having the form factor of asmall wet-dry style shop vacuum having large swivel casters to allowready movement on any floor surface.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit having a hose with a smoothinterior to prevent retention of bio hazard materials thereupon.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a compact,self-contained bio hazard spill cleanup unit having a hose that has asealing cap at its distal end to prevent any hazardous waste remainingin the hose from escaping into the environment at the conclusion of acleaning operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the components of the spillcleanup system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a motor unit forming part ofthe spill cleanup unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the spill cleanup system ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of the spill cleanup system of theinvention showing a bag secured on a bag retaining ring; and

FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of the spill cleanup system ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a bio hazard spill cleanup system havinga special vacuum cleaner and a housing wherein all necessary equipmentand supplies for effectively and efficiently cleaning a bio hazard spillsuch as food, pet feces, vomit, and other such problematic materials.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded, perspective viewof the components of the spill cleanup system of the invention,generally at reference number 100. A hollow body 102 has an open top 104adapted to receive and lockingly retain a motor unit 106 within hollowbody 102.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a detailed perspective viewof motor unit 106. A top 106 has an attached handle 109 and an exhaustport 110. A motor, not specifically identified, depends from top 106 andis surrounded by an air filter 112. A HEPA filter 111 disposed in theair discharge path ensures that any hazardous particles are trapped andnot discharged into the room ari from bio hazard spill cleanup apparatus100. Motors and filters, including HEPA filter 111 suitable for use invacuum units such as novel spill cleanup unit 100 are believed to bewell known to those of skill and, consequently, are not described infurther detail herein.

A threaded region 116, adapted to interact with body top opening 104secures motor unit 106 to hollow body 102. In the embodiment chosen forpurpose of disclosure, a ⅔-twist locking arrangement has been chosen. Itwill be recognized by those of skill in the art that alternate retainingarrangements for motor unit 100 are possible. Such arrangements arebelieved to be known to those of skill in the art, any suitablearrangement may be substituted for the ⅔-twist locking arrangementchosen for purposes of disclosure.

An intervening resilient gasket 118 forms an airtight seal between motorunit 106 and hollow body 102. Resilient gasket 118 is typically formedfrom neoprene or a similar elastomer. Any suitable material known tothose of skill in the art may be used to form resilient gasket, theactual material forming no part of the present invention.

It will be recognized that electrical power must be supplied to motorunit, typically from AC mains. A power cord, not shown, mat bepermanently attached to motor unit 106. A cord winder or similarmechanism, not shown, may be included in motor unit 106 to retain apower cord when not in use. The specific arrangement for supplying powerto motor unit 106 forms no part of the present invention. Consequently,any suitable power cord arrangement may be used.

In alternate embodiments, spill cleanup system may be battery powered.Batteries, not shown, may be housed within hollow body.

A power switch 120 is disposed on motor unit 106 top 108. In theembodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, an illuminated switch hasbeen selected. Any suitable switch may, of course, be substitutedtherefore.

A front region of hollow body 102 has openings 122 a, 122 b adapted toslidably receive storage drawers 124 a, 124 b, respectively.

A flip up bag retaining ring 126 is hingedly affixed to the right sideof hollow body 102. A bag support shelf 128 is slidably retained withinhollow body 102 below bag retaining ring 126. As is described in detailhereinbelow, bag retaining ring 126 and bag support shelf function toreliably retain a bag, not shown, into which manually removed portionsof a spill being cleaned may be placed.

Casters 130 are retained in projecting feet 132 at a lower portion ofhollow body 102.

A pair of hose retaining clips 134, typically affixed to the left sideof hollow body 102 serve to retain a hose 136 when not in use. Hose 136typically has a smooth interior surface, not specifically identified, toensure that hazardous material, not shown, passing through hose 136during a cleanup operation does not tend to be trapped within house 136and later release into the environment at the conclusion of a cleanupoperation. In addition, hose 136 is sealed by hose end cap 150 (FIG. 5)when not in use, thereby sealing the interior region of not only hose126 but of bio hazard cleanup apparatus 100.

One or more bottle cages 138 may be affixed to hollow body 102 to keepbottles 140 of cleaning fluids(s) readily accessible for cleaning aspill. Bottles 140 form no part of the invention but are included todemonstrate the intended use of bottle cages 138. Bottle cage lids 142retain bottles 140 in bottle cages 138 and are typically childresistant. Child resistant cap mechanisms are believed to be well knownto those of skill in the art and are not further described herein. Theinvention covers any and all suitable child resistant cap mechanisms.

A paper towel holder 146 is also disposed on an outside surface ofhollow body 102. A roll of paper towels 148 is retained on paper towelholder 146 so that they may be readily accessed during a cleanupoperation. Paper towels 148 form no part of the present invention.

Referring now also to FIGS. 3 and 5, there are shown a right side andleft side perspective views, respectively, of spill cleanup system 100.Bottle cage 138, bottle 140, and bottle cage cap 142 are clearly visibleat the right rear corner of hollow body 102. Hose 136, retained in hoseretaining clips 134 (not visible in FIG. 3) on the left side of hollowbody 102.

Hose 136 has a hose end cap 150 disposed at its distal end so as toprevent any hazardous material remaining in hose 136 at the conclusionof a clean-up operation from being discharged into the environment.

Accessories useful for cleaning a spill are typically stored in drawers124 a, 124 b so as to be instantly available for spill cleanup. Severalaccessories are anticipated to be available. These include disposablegloves such as those well known to those of skill in either medical orfood service arts; disposable paper scoops intended for manuallyremoving solid and/or semi-solid portions of the spill; plastic bagssized and configured for use with bag retaining ring 126 and bag supportshelf 128; and disposable liners 114. Suitable masks, not shown, aretypically also stored in drawers 124 a, 124 b. Suitable masks arebelieved to be known to those of skill in the art and one or moresuitable types of mask, depending on the nature of the bio hazard spillbeing cleans may be provided. Other supplies may include paper towels,cleaning clothes, cleaning chemicals, cleaning implements such asbrushes, or any other supply or tool useful in cleaning a particulartype of spill.

In operation, when spill cleanup is required, spill cleanup unit 100 maybe moved from a storage location to a spot near the spill to be cleaned.

A disposable liner 114 is assembled to motor unit 106 over air filter112.

A bag, 144 (FIG. 4) is attached to bag support ring 126 with its bottomresting on bag support shelf 128 as required.

When required, paper scoops are used to pick up solid and semi-solidportions of the spilled matter. Both the scooped matter and, whenfinished, the scoops themselves, may be placed in bag 144 for eventualdisposal.

The spill may be treated using any desired chemical including water,solvents, soaps and detergents, etc., typically contained in bottle 140.The spill residue is then vacuumed through hose 136 where is collectedin disposable liner 114.

When the vacuuming operation is complete, disposable liner 114 may beremoved from motor unit 106 and also placed in bag 144 for disposal. Allother disposable cleaning supplies (e.g., paper towels, cleaning cloths,etc.) may also be placed in bag 144 for disposal.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

1. A spill cleanup system comprising: a) a hollow body having a openingin a top portion thereof sized and configured to receive and lockablyretain a motor and having bottom region configured for attachment ofdownward facing casters thereto; b) at least three casters attached tosaid bottom region of said hollow body; c) a motor assembly comprising amotor, an air discharge vent, an electrical switch, a filter operativelyconnected to said motor and configured to removably receive a disposableliner thereupon; d) at least one drawer slidably disposed in said hollowbody; e) a hose operatively connected to said hollow body and removablystorable thereupon.
 2. The spill cleanup system as recited in claim 1,further comprising: f) a bottle cage affixed to an outer region of saidhollow body and configured to removably retain a bottle therein.
 3. Thespill cleanup system as recited in claim 2, wherein said bottle cagecomprises a bottle cage cap.
 4. The spill cleanup system as recited inclaim 1, further comprising: f) a bag retaining ring affixed to anoutside surface of said hollow body; and g) a bag support shelf slidablyretained within said hollow body and disposed below said bag retainingring.
 5. The spill cleanup system as recited in claim 1, wherein saidhose comprises at least two hose retaining clips affixed to an outsidesurface of said hollow body.
 6. The spill cleanup system as recited inclaim 1, wherein said at least one drawer comprises two drawers disposedone above the other.
 7. The spill cleanup system as recited in claim 1,wherein said motor assembly comprises a handle disposed on a top surfacethereof.
 8. The spill cleanup system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: f) cleaning supplies chosen from the group: plastic bags,disposable scoops, and disposable liners. 9) The spill cleanup system asrecited in claim 1, wherein said hose comprises at least one chosen fromthe group: a smooth interior surface, a seal disposed at a distal endthereof. 10) The spill cleanup system as recited in claim 9, whereinsaid seal comprises a removable hose end cap. 11) The spill cleanupsystem as recited in claim 3, wherein said bottle cage cap comprises achild resistant bottle cage cap.
 12. A method of cleaning a spill,comprising: a) providing a spill cleanup system comprising: a hollowbody having a opening in a top portion thereof sized and configured toreceive and lockably retain a motor and having bottom region configuredfor attachment of downward facing casters thereto; at least threecasters attached to said bottom region of said hollow body; a motorassembly comprising a motor, an air discharge vent, an electricalswitch, a filter operatively connected to said motor and configured toremovably receive a disposable liner thereupon; at least one drawerslidably disposed in said hollow body; and a hose operatively connectedto said hollow body and removably storable thereupon; a bag retainingring and a bag support shelf; b) providing spill cleanup supplies chosenfrom the group: plastic bags, disposable scoops, disposable liners, andcleaning fluids; c) moving said spill cleanup system to the site of aspill; d) securing a plastic bag to said bag retaining ring andsupporting said bag on said bag support shelf d) if necessary, using atleast one of said disposable scoops to remove a portion of said spilland depositing said removed portion of said spill in said bag secured tosaid bag support ring; e) using said hose connected to said motor toextract a remaining portion of said spill and capturing said remainingportion in said disposable liner; f) when finished with said using step(e), removing said disposable liner and depositing said disposable linerin said plastic bag.
 13. The method of cleaning a spill as recited inclaim 12, wherein said providing step (a) comprises providing at leasttwo drawers disposed one above the other in said hollow body.
 14. Themethod of cleaning a spill as recited in claim 13, wherein saidproviding step (b) comprises the sub-step: storing said cleanup suppliesin at least one of said at least two drawers.
 15. The method of cleaninga spill as recited in claim 12, the steps further comprising: g)retaining said hose on said hollow body; h) storing said spill cleanupsystem; and i) disposing of said plastic bag.